Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 8, 2015
Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran. Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides. Genesis 27:43-44
Moms are uncanny at knowing what’s best for their child. It can be as small as diagnosing a fake stomachache or as big as helping siblings to forgive one another. The Lord gives moms a built in sensitivity to the needs of their little ones. They are able to recognize the meaning of the smallest whimper or the loudest cry. I witnessed this recently on a family vacation when our two grandsons (ages 2 and 4) became whiny at mid afternoon. Our oldest daughter simply gave them a goldfish snack and they were content. Moms anticipate needs before they become needs.
Rebekah experienced a more complicated dynamic between her sons Esau and Jacob. She expected her dying husband Isaac to bless the oldest Esau, but she remembered what God said about the older serving the younger (Genesis 25:23). So, Rebekah shrewdly presented Jacob to her husband as Esau and Isaac blessed him, not knowing the sons were switched. Esau was livid to the point of wanting to kill his brother. Rebekah intervened again, sending Jacob away until Esau’s anger subsided. Moms want what’s best in settling sibling rivalries. They try to trust God.
“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your [Esau’s] eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably” (Genesis 33:10).
As a mom you invariably want what’s best for your child. You want what’s best in their walk with the Lord—for them to love and follow Christ all the days of their life. You want what’s best in their friendships—for them to enjoy the company of the wise and not be led astray by fools. You want what’s best in their education—for them to have academic opportunities that lead to a successful career. You want what’s best in their marriage—for them to spend a fulfilling life of purpose with a spouse who loves God, who is romantically attractive and who is their best friend.
Most of all, moms who want what’s best for their child, first pray for God’s best. God’s best may not be the easiest or smoothest route for your child. Mature faith is not developed in a life of comfort, ease and security—but in discomfort, challenges and uncertainty. Pray for your child to be needy for the Lord—not you. Total abandonment and dependence on Jesus is the place you hope those you love will want to abide. Mom, pray for God’s best and trust Him with the rest.
“It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (Romans 9:16).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray Your best for my child. I pray they will be desperate for You.
Related Readings: Genesis 22:12; Proverbs 2:5; Philippians 3:8-10; Colossians 2:2; 2 Timothy 3:15
Post/Tweet this today: Pray for your child to be needy for the Lord—not you. #whatsbest #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 4 minute music video- Chelsea Moon: I Need Thee Every Hour
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© 2015 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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Our family is greatly benefited from your daily devotion. However, my daughter sent me a text this morning saying that it sounded like Rebecca’s scheme tricking Isaac was a good thing for a mother to do.
I can not share today’s devotional on facebook. It says the link is not found. Please fix so that I can!
Hello and thank you a million for the wonderful articles I find each day on your site.
In the last several articles, however, I noticed the ‘type’ style has changed, and it is more difficult to read. Previously, it was more ‘printed’ (such as I’ve observed on this page, above.) Before I found this page, I copied your message and pasted it into a Word document, changed the font style, and thus made it easier to read.
If possible, could you change the first page to look like the printed style shown above? If not, I will now go into this page for future articles. The main thing for me is to get the message and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you and your staff for the help sent to all of us each day.
Dear Albert,
Thank you so much for your kind words about the daily devotional. We are thankful that your family has been blessed by receiving it.
Your daughter actually makes a point about Rebekah’s “parenting method” because in today’s times, it could be seen as possibly “tricking” Isaac. However, “Old Testament Parenting” may have been a bit more intense (and for good reason…)
My hope is that Rebekah prayed before her decisions about her children, Esau and Jacob. In the devotional, Boyd states “Most of all, moms who want whats best for their child, first pray for God’s best.” Wouldn’t we ALL benefit from that advice, mothers and fathers together!
Thank you Albert, for sharing your daughter’s thought provoking comment. It certainly gave me pause and the opportunity to go back and re-read Rebekah’s story as a mother.
We always love hearing from our Wisdom Hunter’s family and look for3ward to hearing from you again soon.
Blessings to you and your,
Gwynne
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
Gwynne
Dear Andrea,
I am so sorry you are having a problem with the facebook link. Have you tried it again? Email me at gwynne@wisdomhunters.com and let me know if it is working now. If it is not, I may have a couple of suggestions.
In the meantime, please know we are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and that you wanted to share the devotional. Thank you for that. Please let me know if it is now working for you.
Blessings to you and yours,
Gwynne
gwynne@wisdomhunters.com
Dear Mary,
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement about the daily devotionals. We are so thankful that you are being blessed by them and we give all the Glory to God!!!
As far as the “type style” on the devotionals, I will pass this suggestion on to the folks on our staff that handle those types of issues. I am really not sure if anything can be done about it, but please know we do appreciate your suggestion and it will, indeed, be passed on. We thank you for taking the time to let us know about it.
Again, thank you for reaching out to us. We love hearing from our Wisdom Hunter’s family and look forward to hearing from you again in the future.
Blessings to you and yours.
Gwynne
“May God himself, the God of Peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24